Maradona – widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all-time after his glittering career in which he won the World Cup in 1986, has died at his home in Argentina following a cardiac arrest.

Reports say that football legend Diego Maradona had an operation to remove a blood clot on his brain in late October and was showing signs of recovery before suffering a fatal cardiac less than a month after turning 60.

Maradona shot to fame when he won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, having knocked England out of the tournament in a match that saw him score the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and another.

Regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time, Maradona’s life off the pitch was equally colourful. Throughout his life, he publically struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.

The Argentine news outlet Clarin broke the news on Maradona’s death on Wednesday afternoon UK time, describing the news of Maradona’s passing as having a ‘worldwide impact’. 

The sad news was confirmed by Maradona’s lawyer and tributes have poured in from all over the world.

In a statement on social media, the Argentine Football Association expressed “its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend”, adding: “You will always be in our hearts.”

Declaring three days of national mourning, Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, said: “You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all.

“Thank you for having existed, Diego. We’re going to miss you all our lives.”

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